Blog update Thursday June 16, 2011
Good morning! Bonjou! As I sit on the roof top finishing my devotions I realize I haven't updated my blog. I am sorry. I have been uploading photos and short status updates on Facebook but that does not share with you all what has been going on.
This morning I feel the need to share what has been going on spiritually. So, here we go!! :)
If you look back to the beginning of the blog you'll see that I put a list of things I thought I would be doing and thought why I was called to be here. I was going to organize the storage room, organize, organize, organize, organize. Well, none of that has happened. I feel like my greater calling so far has to just been to be around the kids. Whether it was for discipline, fun, basketball, devotions, counselor, or simple friendship. These kids have gotten a large chunk of my heart before this trip and now they have just grabbed onto it and are melting it piece by piece! Our God is so incredible. HE has a plan greater than we could ever imagine just for us. I thought I would be coming to organize and I haven't done one bit (even though I have planned and plans to still do so). One of the biggest things I wanted to do was to help the kids organize their rooms (they are a serious mess). This was something that was going to be the biggest mountain to climb...have kids clean their room!? :)
Before the Tennesee team left they had almost finished the new girls bedroom, when they left the older boys finished the painting, when the Kansas team came in they finished the bathroom. The girls have moved to their NEW ROOM and it is all ORGANIZED! Guess what? I didn't have to help with any of it! :) Talk about one answer to prayer.
Heres another one! The first trip we came there weren't enough classrooms so the kids were all under the lean-to (just a couple 4x4 posts and a tin roof) the second trip there were enough classrooms where they weren't under the lean-to anymore. But there weren't enough finished rooms for them to all have a bedroom. So now they put up some tarps and the older boys were living under the lean to (if only they would let me take a picture...but they wont). Sherrie said that the tile man wasn't going to come till next monday, which would mean the room the boys are moving into wouldnt be ready for another WEEK. The tile man came yesterday, he will be here today to finish and on Saturday the boys will all be moving around and ORGANIZING their rooms! (i'm sure i'll help somehow!) How amazing is our God?! The girls are organized and on Saturday (hopefully) the boys will be too! This was a huge prayer request from our 2nd trip that the boys get out from the tarp and into a classroom/bedroom. I was jumping up and down yesterday morning saying The tile man is here! The tile man is here! :) everyone was like huh? Why is that a big deal? It was an answer to prayer and in quite the timely fashion! Sherrie and I were so confused because we thought he was coming in on Monday and he showed up on Wednesday... we looked at each other and said ok! Awesome! :)
There have been some amazing devotions with these groups (yes there are 2 different groups here) we actually have two pastors too! One is pastor Jack and he leads devotions in the morning and he also led devotions last night with the kids (they loved it!) the other is Pastor Tony, he and I have had some really good conversations about our awesome God. Tuesday morning I broke down and started crying and he was there to pray with me and clam me down. We talked about doubt and confusion and worry. Those were 3 big things going on in my head. Doubt that what I was doing was any good for the kids, confusion as to why I have been called here and worry on what's next. I want to share my devotion with you from yesterday, thank you Tennessee team for leaving this with me, it is absolutely amazing!
From the book: 40 days with Jesus by Sarah young
“Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In Fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Out path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from the distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways.
Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you.
Psalm 91:11-12 (amp)
“For he will give his angels charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight”
This book hit it right on. No coincident. I uploaded pictures to Facebook. Please see the sunset picture and have this devotion in your head...I WILL EVEN GIVE MY ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU< TO PROTECT YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS!!!!!
Then after sunset I was talking with a few people (last night was a late one!) and we were discussing future plans. Whether God is calling me to stay full time or what life will be like when I get back home or whats going on. This was a very in-depth discussion and the only thing that I can say and could say is that whatever God tells me to do is what I will do. I trust that the conversation we had about me coming the month of June and me asking THEN WHAT? Him responding I will tell you then, put your trust in me, I am your provider! All of this was talked about last night.... here is the devotion for today!
(From the same book...it's just the next day:) )
You are my beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.
Your hope and your future are rooted in Heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes.
Here are some verses you should go look up:
Ephesians 1:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 1:13-14
What's super cool is that Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse a lot of people know, but it is also painted on a wall in my room at home! :) So here we were last night talking about future plans and this is the devotion I get this morning. “you can relax and enjoy the present moment”
That is going to be my goal today! :) this is a super long post, but it's been a while! :)
Hopefully someone will be sharing this with My Grandma! :)
Lots of Love and Blessings,
Amy Worst